We just returned from one of our summer vacations and oh how much we will miss the good times together. To capture our memories, one of the things we do is a bedtime ritual called, “Review the Holiday,” where we recount the highlights of our vacation. A hands-on way to cement our happy memories is with […]
Hooray for vacation and stay at home days! Well, except for those days when the weather is too hot or too cold to get outside and run off all the extra energy from being cooped up. Even though we rotate toys - I hide stuffed animals in the attic and store birthday and holiday gifts in […]
Glitter, upcycling, and independent play: these are a few of my favorite things. When we received a box brimming with Glitter Glue, Painters Markers, School Glue and Glue Sticks from Elmer’s last weekend, I knew EXACTLY what we would do - get our craft on and create a homemade play town with items straight from […]
After our maiden voyage to Disneyland was such a magical success, we can’t wait to visit again. Short and sweet, here are our Top Ten Tips for Disneyland With Preschoolers. Don’t forget to check out our detailed post on Planning for Disneyland with Preschoolers, with tips on when to visit the park, what attractions not to […]
Disneyland is truly the happiest place on Earth. I hadn’t visited the park since 1987, so I was excited to take the kids (4 and 5 years old) on their maiden voyage, but I had no idea how absolutely magical the experience would be. Watching the children’s hearts nearly explode with joy was the best part […]
Keeping the kids occupied (meaning, not putting them in front of the TV and making sure they’re safe and not killing one another) while we prep dinner is sometimes challenging for us. A fun way to turn what can be a difficult time into an opportunity for learning is this simple Counting by Tens math […]
We’ve been in our new house for about half a year now, but after unpacking our boxes and getting our 1950’s Rancher fixed up, we haven’t really begun to make the house our home. Part of the reason is that we will be remodeling eventually, so making a big investment on statement pieces or committing […]
I’m thrilled to be participating in the Second Annual School’s Out! Top 10 Summer Learning Activities series and sharing our Top Ten Ways to Keep Kids Thinking over Summer Break with you. If you’re like me, you want your children to enjoy the beautiful summer weather, play in the dirt, swim in the pool and just […]
If you’re like us, you’re scrambling to make one hundred homemade Valentines for your children’s classroom Valentine’s Day Exchange and need something quick, cheap, and fun. Lucky for all you last-minute crafters, we’re sharing our simple Magic Heart Wands that will help your child spread some love this Valentine’s Day. All you need is: A […]
It’s been over 20 years in the making, but it’s finally happened. We just moved into our Forever House over Thanksgiving week. It couldn’t be more fitting that we moved that week because there is so much to be thankful for. We are right next door to the house I grew up in and the […]
DIY Memory Box Display
DIY Board Games for Kids
Easy Homemade Play Town
Top Ten Tips For Disneyland With Preschoolers
Planning for Disneyland with Preschoolers
Easy Kitchen Math: Counting By Tens
5 Creative Ways To Upgrade Your Home Style
Summer Learning Activities for Kids: Top Ten Ways To Keep Kids Thinking
{Homemade Valentines} Magic Heart Wands
Home Sweet Home
March 1, 2012 in All Posts, Bake, Celebrate
It’s March! Time to start thinking about St. Patrick’s Day activities and treats. Even though Hubby bah-humbugs St. Patrick’s Day, we still celebrate the day at our house for fun. Last year we made these delicious green Shamrock Rice Krispies Treats: Recipe and complete how-to here. Here are 11 more goodies I’d love to make or […]
February 2, 2012 in All Posts, Bake
If you’ve been reading along, you know that these are really called Chocolate Salty Balls, but I’m trying not to be too crude too often. Once in a Bachelorette Party post was enough. Today, we will call these delectables by their civilized name: Salted Chocolate Brownie Balls! Super easy, super sinful, super yummy. Ingredients Brownie […]
January 31, 2012 in All Posts, Bake
For How to Nest for Less’ Valentine’s Day Craft Series, I shared the recipe for our Stained Glass Heart Cookies on Erin’s blog. For archival purposes, I’m posting it here, too. You can make these beautiful cookies out of any shape cookie cutter you have on hand, as long as you have the cutter in […]
January 24, 2012 in All Posts, Bake, Celebrate
I’m so excited to be a part of the Valentine’s Day Craft Series hosted by Erin at How to Nest for Less this week! I’m sharing my recipe for Valentine’s Day Stained Glass Heart Cookies today, so head over to Erin’s blog for the full tutorial on how to make these sweet Valentine’s Day treats! […]
January 11, 2012 in All Posts, Bake
This Old Fashioned Apple Crisp was one of the yummiest desserts I’ve made. We served it in individual ramekins, along with our Caramelized Upside Down Pear Tarte Tatin for Thanksgiving dinner, and it’s my new homemade favorite. Ingredients For the filling: 5 pounds McIntosh or Macoun apples (I used Granny Smith) Grated zest of 1 orange Grated zest […]
December 21, 2011 in All Posts, Bake, Sponsored Posts
It’s safe to say I’m a bit caramel obsessed. Who can resist the ooey, gooey goodness of a warm Caramel Sauce drizzled over an inside-out Apple Crumble Cheesecake or thick, creamy Caramel Frosting Brownie Sandwiches? This holiday season I’m making lots of caramel-drizzled desserts, but I’m also making caramels. Salty ones like these delicious, divine […]
December 15, 2011 in All Posts, Bake
It’s time for The Improv Cooking Challenge with Frugal Antics of a Harried Homemaker again! October’s Challenge was apples and caramel and November’s Challenge was pumpkin and cream cheese. December’s challenge: a baking or cooking recipe using this month’s two featured ingredients - egg nog and cranberries. There are a lot of things I don’t know much about and […]
December 13, 2011 in All Posts, Bake, Sponsored Posts
Thanks to Duncan Hines for sponsoring my writing. There’s no limit to the baking possibilities, so grab your favorite Duncan Hines mix and Comstock or Wilderness fruit fillings and Bake On! www.duncanhines.com One of my favorite Girls’ Night In movie scenes is from Grease, when Jan pulls out some Twinkies and offers it to her […]
December 10, 2011 in All Posts, Bake
Remember this peppermint latte I made with my Simple Peppermint Syrup last weekend? Well, I went a little crazy with the peppermint and made some Salted Double Peppermint Bark, too! Salt and chocolate is my new favorite sweet combination … and I don’t even like chocolate. I especially don’t like white chocolate, which is why I […]
November 17, 2011 in All Posts, Bake
I’m so excited to be taking The Improv Cooking Challenge with Frugal Antics of a Harried Homemaker again! October’s Challenge - when I made my Apple Crumble Cheesecake With Caramel Sauce - was so much fun, I can’t wait to see what everyone’s made this month! November’s challenge: a baking or cooking recipe using this month’s two featured ingredients - pumpkin […]
